UC Irvine Proposed Ban on US Flag Causes Violent Threats [OPINION]

*The views in this article are that of the author and do not in any way reflect the opinions of Townsquare Media Grand Junction or is affiliates.

The University of California, Irvine moved to cancel a meeting about removing the American Flag, along with several other flags, from one of the school buildings, due to threats of violence. The University received "a viable threat of violence associated with the recent controversy," and while it was not specific, it was enough for them to make the decision to cancel the meeting.

First of all, what did these students, who wanted to remove the American flag from a building on UC Irvine's campus, expect would happen? You have a meeting to remove the American flag, and you expect people not to be upset?

By no means am I a die-hard, but I'm was not planning on driving to California and showing up at the school wearing American Flag clothing, in violent protest.

I am saying that to think you could even propose something like that and not meet very, very violent opposition, you're crazy.

Another point that I think needs to be made, the University was not behind this decision, “This misguided legislation was not endorsed or supported in any way by the campus leadership, the University of California or the broader student body,” the university stated. “The American flag is still proudly flying throughout our campus and will continue to do so,”.

My primary purpose of writing this post was to share that I think that it's unfortunate that it had to come to threats of violence for these students to realize this was a bad idea. I would like to think that people could find ways to handle these situations without violent threats.

I do feel that, generally, there are none violent ways to deal all with things.

While I feel that no one should have to have an American flag in their own house or vehicle. But when we're talking about a space said person does not actually "own", even discussing removing a national icon is always going to be met with violent opposition.